28 | www.PetfoodIndustry.com
How to use alternative,
plant-based proteins in
pet food
As the world's population grows and animal proteins become scarcer
for pet food applications, emerging proteins, derived from legumes,
duckweed and algae may soon fill the niche.
AUSTIN ALONZO
food than the world currently produces
to be fed. This crunch means the demand
for animal protein will likely take away
possible ingredients for pet food.
Although this seems challenging, the
pet food industry is uniquely positioned
to take advantage of emerging proteins
because new protein sources are not
generally introduced in high-end, human
consumption applications. This means
new protein sources are likely to be used
in pet food first.
Protein derived from plants like algae may soon play a large role in pet food.
waldru, Bigstockphoto.com
Protein derived from plants may soon
play a large role in pet food, according to
an expert in the field.
Dr. Fred van de Velde, expertise group
leader in protein functionality for NIZO
Food Research BV, analyzed potential
future sources of protein for pet food as
part of Petfood Forum 2017 in Kansas
City, Missouri. Van de Velde spoke on
April 5.
As with the food industry, the pet
food industry will need to adjust as the
world's population continues to grow,
van de Velde said. By 2050, more than 9
billion people will require 60 percent more
Established and emerging
plant-based protein sources
Plant-based proteins are already widely
used in human and animal nutrition.
Many of those protein sources began as
byproducts of other food production, and
have since become valuable parts of the
food supply. Those sources are soybeans,
peas, lupin beans, potatoes, wheat and
corn. They are available in large quantities
in a variety of styles.
When looking for new protein sources,
it's important to consider the sustainability of the product in the long term.
Van de Velde said this goes beyond
environmental sustainability to becoming
a question of continued availability of
June 2017
Industry

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